Pitchfork Pretty’s Garden Water cocktail is one of the many ways you can indulge in citrus season (Credit: @dollarsaenz)

Citrus season is in full swing in the Lone Star State. In celebration, I tirelessly scoured the city to find citrus-inspired cocktails. And I’m not just talking palomas and margaritas! I discovered expertly mixed drinks to please gin, vodka, and whiskey drinkers alike. Without further ado, here’s my roundup of some of the best citrus cocktails in Austin. [Read more…]

Yes, you read the title correctly. I am indeed talking about bootlegging during the Prohibition. The Original Hoffbrau opened its doors in 1932, a year before Prohibition came to an end. Brothers Robert “Coleman” and Tom Hamby put in $125 each to buy the property now located in one of the most coveted parts of town: West Sixth Street. Now in its 83rd year with the fourth generation of family ownership, The Original Hoffbrau has become an iconic Austin steakhouse.

Don’t look now, but bars across America are being invaded by Austin’s own. Tito’s Handmade Vodka is king of cocktails and PBR has been ousted by Shiner as the hip beer of choice. (Shiner isn’t quite Austin, but it’s close enough.) Now we can add Austin Eastciders to the list.

In the span of four years, Austin Eastciders has grown from a humble cidery on Springdale Road to a nationally-recognized brand with two locations, distributing to over a dozen states. Not bad for a small town operation with giant dreams.

Nickel City is the new bar to meet people and hang out off East 11th Street (Credit: Hunter Townsend)

If there’s one thing that’s certain in Austin, it’s the ever-changing scenery. Condos, hotels, and establishments keep popping up in and around our beloved neighborhoods, and too many Austinites don’t know where to seek refuge anymore. Fear not, locals! Nickel City is the spot where you can walk in, pull up a chair, and drink to your heart’s content.

Coffee and beer have to be the top two beverages Austin survives on. It’s easy to find either–and often both–at cafes and breweries all over the city. The newest member of the coffee-beer-hybrid is Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden off South Congress near Ben White.

Cosmic isn’t an ordinary coffee shop or beer garden, but the culmination of co-founder Paul Oveisi’s passions: live entertainment, sustainability, beer, coffee, and food. I had a chance to sit down with the entrepreneur for a chat about the interesting history behind Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden. This fascinating story is full of surprises. [Read more…]

Get haunted by the Ghost of Mary at Cannon + Belle (Credit: @dollarsaenz)

Whether you want to sip a socially acceptable cocktail with breakfast or nurse a brooding hangover, the Bloody Mary has become the standard go-to. The drink that has been around since approximately 1921 has incredible diversity, and it seems as though just about every restaurant has their own version–with our city being no exception. So whether you’re looking for the classic version, a peacock of garnishes, or something more exotic, here’s our guide to the best Bloody Marys in Austin. [Read more…]

Enjoy a cup of joe, hot or cold, indoors or out, at Vintage Heart Cafe

Vintage Heart Cafe has become many things to me. It’s where I can count on a delicious caffeine boost or find my productive side. On my less focused days, it’s a comfortable place to continue my quest to traverse the Internet’s outer limits. Recently, Vintage House Cafe has become something more to me and the Austin community at-large. It now includes a beautiful outdoor space, food options, and adult beverages.

Celis’ line of beers brings back old school flavors in new, exciting ways (credit: Jason Babos)

Welcome to 2018, craft beer drinkers! 2017 was a fantastic year for the local beer scene. New breweries, expanded offerings, and insane special releases made the year one to remember. As we look forward to another year of hoppy goodness, I asked some of Austin’s finest beer makers to share what we can expect from them in 2018. [Read more…]

However, unbeknownst to many, Austin boasts one of the most delectable secret food scenes, as well. Restaurants like Chuy’s, Frigid Frog, and Olamaie all feature legitimate, buyable food items that, whether it’s to boost mystique or keep chefs from drowning in a kitchen of their own complex creations, never make it to print.

It’s my job today to guide any and all curious Austinites through some of my favorite secret menu items in this city’s confidential cartes du jour. [Read more…]

There’s a large number of craft breweries and distilleries surrounding the Austin area, so I wasn’t shocked to hear about the opening of another distillery. Until I heard the name of the spirit, that is. Sotol? Didn’t ring a bell.

But then I received an introduction, and we became fast friends.

Known to producers in northern Mexico and the West Texans who moonshine it, sotol’s extensive history still remains unknown to most people in our area. With Desert Door’s recent opening, however, that’s about to change. [Read more…]

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us.